Ruben Amorim received his marching orders on Monday as he was sacked by Manchester United – but he will leave Old Trafford with a huge pay-off after only 14 months of work
08:43, 06 Jan 2026Updated 08:44, 06 Jan 2026
Ruben Amorim has been paid off handsomely after being sacked in Manchester(Image: Zohaib Alam/Getty Images)
Ruben Amorim left Manchester United with a £10million pay-off on Monday after he was sacked as head coach following just 14 months in his role – a decision that has ultimately cost the club dear.
Tensions behind the scenes came to a head with Amorim and Director of Football Jason Wilcox clashing on several issues, including his style of play. The Portuguese head coach went public with some of his frustrations after Sunday’s draw at Leeds and was subsequently given his marching orders less than 24 hours later.
His dismissal means that United spent a staggering £27m to hire and then fire Amorim. He was identified as the man to replace Erik ten Hag following an impressive spell in charge of Sporting Lisbon. In the winter of 2024 United bought out his contract in Lisbon for £8.3m and then paid another £900,000 so he could start work early. When he arrived he signed a £6.5m-a-year deal, which was set to keep him in Manchester until June 2027.
United will also have to compensate the five-man backroom team who followed him from Portugal, reports the Daily Mail. History will not look kindly on the investment with Amorim winning just 25 of his 63 games at the helm, while he also presided over the team’s lowest ever finish in the Premier League era.
READ MORE: Gary Neville reveals the moment he knew Man Utd would sack Ruben AmorimREAD MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson’s bold Darren Fletcher prediction proved right after Man Utd call
He leaves the club in sixth, just three points off the top four. However performances over recent weeks have continued to fall below the necessary standards, especially in the home draws with West Ham and Wolves. Amorim had shown some tactically flexibility recently, but has reverted back to his 3-4-3 formation, which has not proved successful.
United have stated that former player and U18s coach Darren Fletcher has been installed as caretaker manager for Wednesday night’s trip to Burnley. United hope to name an interim boss until the end of the season before appointing a permanent boss come the summer.
The former head coach and Jason Wilcox no longer saw eye-to-eye(Image: Javier Garcia/Shutterstock)
Several names have been banded about but Gary Neville has insisted that the Red Devils need to get someone in who reflects the club’s DNA having grown frustrated with several of their picks in the dugout.
“The experiments have got to stop,” he told Sky Sports. “I’ve always been very proud of what this club is – adventurous, exciting football, playing young players and entertaining the crowd. They must take risks and have the courage to play attacking, aggressive football.
“United have got to a point where they need a manager who fits the DNA of the football club. Barcelona will never change for anybody. I don’t believe United should change for anybody. The club has to find a manager who has got experience and who’s willing to play fast entertaining, attacking and aggressive football.”
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